News
17 Aug 2026
by Policy, Practice and Innovation Team

Update 17 August 2026

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is expected to publish its six report, 'Care Sector', (Module 6) on 20 October 2026, and its seventh, 'Test, Trace and Isolate', on 19 November 2026. The announcement can be found here: Inquiry announces autumn report publication dates for ‘Care Sector’ (Module 6) and ‘Test, Trace and Isolate’ (Module 7) - UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

The Homecare Association contributed to Module 6 on the Care Sector, via evidence given by our CEO, Dr Jane Townson, OBE.

For our key messages, see: Our CEO speaks up for homecare at the Covid-19 Inquiry and more recently, here: Post | LinkedIn. 

See also the following documents and video:

We also contributed to Module 2, scroll down.
 

Update 14 July 2026

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has issued its fifth report, which concerns 'Procurement’ (Module 5). This considers how the UK procured and distributed key healthcare equipment and supplies during the pandemic, including PPE, ventilators, oxygen and lateral flow and PCR tests.
 

Update 16 April 2026

The Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Baroness (Heather) Hallett, has published her fourth report, which examines how vaccines and therapeutics were developed, authorised and delivered across the four nations of the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 

Update 19 March 2026

The Inquiry published its third report and 10 recommendations examining the impact of Covid-19 on healthcare systems (Module 3), concluding that 'we coped, but only just'.
 

Update 10 March 2026

The UK Covid Inquiry has completed hearing Module 10 on the impact of the pandemic on society. This was the final module of the Inquiry, which commenced in July 2022.

The Inquiry is due to publish a further five reports this year on Healthcare Systems, Vaccines and Therapeutics, Procurement, the Adult Social Care sector and Test, Trace and Isolate. Three more reports are due out in 2027.

On 19 March 2026, the Inquiry will publish its report on the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems in the UK (Module 3) followed by a report on vaccines and therapeutics on 16 April 2026. 

In her closing statement for Module 10, Inquiry Chair Baroness Hallett thanked those who have followed the hearings and called for public support to ensure her recommendations are implemented. View her closing statement. 


Update 3 March 2026

The UK Covid Inquiry is hearing Module 10 on the impact of the pandemic on society. Hearings are running from 16 February – 5 March 2026. More information.

The Inquiry has published a schedule which states the final report for Module 6, on the care sector, is due out towards the end of 2026:

Inquiry sets out 2026 schedule - UK Covid-19 Inquiry
 

Update 2 December 2025

The UK Covid Inquiry has commenced hearings on Module 9, the economic response to the pandemic. More information: Economic response (Module 9) - UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
 

Update 24 November 2025

The Homecare Association welcomes the publication of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s Module 2 report, which examines core political and administrative decision-making during the pandemic. The findings are sobering and must act as a catalyst for meaningful reform. Our media release is here: Homecare Association responds to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2 Report.
 

Update 20 November 2025

The UK Covid Inquiry's Module 2 report was published today. This focuses on the core political and administrative decision-making across the UK in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The report addresses decision making in the four nations of the UK and sets out the facts established in the weeks of public hearings held in each nation: Module 2 hearings held in England, Module 2A in Scotland, Module 2B in Wales and Module 2C in Northern Ireland. 

It compares and contrasts the different choices made by the four governments in responding to the same emergency, to identify the most important lessons for responding to future UK-wide emergencies.

You can access the report and its recommendations on the Inquiry's website, in a range of formats including:

You can also watch the Chair of the Inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, present her findings and recommendations in a video statement on the Inquiry’s YouTube channel. Our thanks to the Inquiry for these items.

The Homecare Association submitted evidence to Module 2. Links to relevant documents are here:  

Module 2 Opening Statement on behalf of the National Care Forum, Homecare Association and Care England
Module 2 Closing Statement on behalf of the National Care Forum, Homecare Association and Care England
 

Update 31 July 2025

Our CEO spoke up for homecare at the Covid-19 Inquiry. For our key messages, see: Our CEO speaks up for homecare at the Covid-19 Inquiry and

Update 30 June 2025

Public hearings for Module 6 of the Covid-19 Inquiry begin on Monday 30 June 2025 and end on Thursday 31 July 2025.

Module 6 investigates the impact of the pandemic on the Adult Social Care sector in the UK. 

The Rt Hon Matt Hancock is giving evidence on Wednesday, 2 July.

The first week's timetable is here. 

A livestream of the hearing is available on the Inquiry's homepage and on their YouTube channel.

A recording of the broadcast is available after each session.

There is support for those participating in or watching a hearing, who may experience distress as the Inquiry investigates the pandemic, at: Support whilst engaging with the Inquiry - UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

The Inquiry has also published its latest 'Every Story Matters' record documenting the effect of the pandemic on the adult social care sector, which has some powerful personal accounts: 

Every Story Matters: Adult Social Care Sector – Full record - UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
 

Update 19 May 2025

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has published its latest "Every Story Matters" record, documenting the public's experiences of test, trace and isolate systems implemented across the four nations during the pandemic. Released on the opening day of the Inquiry's Module 7 public hearings, the record captures tens of thousands of first-hand accounts, revealing both challenges and successes in how these systems operated throughout the crisis.

The public can continue to submit their experiences until 23 May 2025, when the online form closes. The records will directly inform Baroness Heather Hallett's conclusions and recommendations for future pandemic preparedness.


Update 31 March 2025

Public hearings for Module 5 - Procurement have now concluded. Hearings for Module 7 (Test, Trace and Isolate) will begin on 12 May and Module 6, on the Care Sector, starts on 30 June 2025.

There is a last opportunity for people to share their story with the Inquiry through Every Story Matters before the webform closes on 23 May 2025.

The Inquiry will be holding 10 listening events for bereaved people across the UK to feed into the Inquiry's Module 10 investigation into the Impact on Society. More information, dates and locations are in the Inquiry Newsletter – March 2025 - UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
 

Update 17 March 2025

Module 5 - Procurement enters its second week. Last week, the Inquiry heard about:

  • The effectiveness of processes and the contractual provisions in place for the procurement and distribution of key healthcare equipment and supplies before and during the pandemic.
  • The impact of the pandemic on healthcare supply chains.
  • The coordination and effectiveness of procurement activities between the devolved nations, including communication processes and the use of mutual aid arrangements.
  • The implementation of alternative procurement routes including the "high priority lane" and considerations regarding fairness and compliance with public law procurement principles.
  • Challenges encountered with healthcare equipment specifications and quality control for procured items and their impact on frontline healthcare provision.
  • The development of guidance and oversight for emergency procurement, including how safety concerns were identified and addressed while balancing the urgent need for supplies.


Update 10 February 2025

Module 3 -  Healthcare hearings ended on 28 November 2024, and Module 4 – Vaccines and therapeutics hearings took place from 14 – 31 January 2025.

Preparation has started for Module 6 – Social care, with hearings due from 30 June 2025 – 31 July 2025.  The Homecare Association, as a Core Participant, has submitted a witness statement and attended a second preliminary hearing where we met with Inquiry lawyers.

Module 5 – Procurement hearings take place from 3 – 27 March 2025.
 

Update 11 November 2024

50,000 Every Story Matters contributions from the public. 

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has reached a major milestone with more than 50,000 people submitting their experiences of life during the pandemic to Every Story Matters. Once stories are submitted they are analysed and compiled into themed reports which are used in the investigation and can inform the Chair’s recommendations alongside evidence from the Inquiry’s hearings and written witness statements. Find out more about how to contribute to Every Story Matters here.

Meanwhile, the seventh week of hearings on Module 3 on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the healthcare systems has taken place. To sign up for updates, see: Newsletter - UK Covid-19 Inquiry. The hearings on this module are due to conclude on 28 November 2024.


Update 27 September 2024

Module 10 'Impact on Society': Final investigation of UK Covid-19 Inquiry opened

Baroness Hallett, Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, has opened Module 10, 'Impact on Society'. This is the final investigation of the inquiry.

The module will scrutinise how Covid-19 affected various groups of the population, with particular emphasis on:

1. Key workers' experiences (this excludes health and social care workers who are considered in earlier modules)
2. The most vulnerable individuals
3. Those who lost loved ones during the pandemic

Additionally, Module 10 aims to:

- Evaluate the consequences of measures implemented to combat the virus
- Identify any disproportionate impacts on specific groups
- Uncover societal strengths, resilience, and innovations that may have mitigated adverse effects

This investigation represents the culmination of the UK's efforts to understand and learn from the far-reaching impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Provisional scope of Module 10.

The public hearings relating to Module 3 on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on healthcare systems in the four nations of the UK (Module 3) continue until 28 November 2024. For more, see: Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Systems in the 4 Nations of the UK (Module 3) - Public Hearings - UK Covid-19 Inquiry. BBC News rolling coverage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c2lnk7v18pet.

The Inquiry is circulating a weekly hearings summary and periodic newsletter, which contains regular updates on the work of the Inquiry. 
 

Update 9 September 2024

Hearings for Module 3 on healthcare systems started on 9 September 2024, with the publication of the first Every Story Matters record, detailing the UK public’s experiences of the country’s healthcare systems during the pandemic.


Livestream of hearings.

BBC live reporting: NHS staff tell Covid inquiry of 'lack of support' at start of pandemic - BBC News.
 

Update 23 July 2024

The UK government has responded to the Covid-19 Inquiry's Module 1 report, acknowledging its findings that the country was ill-prepared for the pandemic. The report highlighted fundamental state failures, inadequate planning, and a focus on the wrong type of pandemic. In response, the government committed to:

  1. Launching a review of national resilience
  2. Establishing a dedicated Cabinet Committee on resilience
  3. Collaborating with devolved governments and local leaders
  4. Considering all recommendations and responding fully within six months
  5. Participating in international efforts to enhance global health and pandemic preparedness

The Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, for the government, expressed sympathy for those who lost loved ones and pledged it would learn from the Inquiry to better prepare for future crises.

Update 18 July 2024

The Homecare Association recognises the findings from Module 1 of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry. In her report, Baroness Hallett, Chair of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, highlights significant gaps and shortcomings in the UK's preparedness for a pandemic of COVID-19's scale. Key findings included:

  • The UK was ill-prepared for a whole system civil emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • There were significant flaws in the national system for civil emergencies and building preparedness.
  • The UK prepared for the wrong type of pandemic, focusing on influenza rather than a coronavirus.
  • There was a lack of an adequate system for test, trace, and isolate that could be rapidly scaled up.
  • The UK's sole pandemic strategy from 2011 was outdated and lacked adaptability.

Full Homecare Association media release.

 

Update 10 July 2024

Further evidence to Inquiry highlights neglect of social care in pandemic

The National Care Forum, Homecare Association, and Care England submitted an additional closing statement (now published on the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s website) in response to the evidence provided by Dr Simon Case, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, during the Module 2 hearings on May 23, 2024.

Dr Case's testimony touched upon several issues of particular concern to the social care sector. His comments reinforce the themes we raised in our main closing statement. Namely, the government overlooked, misunderstood, and disadvantaged the social care sector throughout the pandemic

From the lack of attention to the rights and needs of older and disabled people and other at-risk groups, to the absence of recognition and financial support for low-income care workers, these failings reflect a broader pattern of neglect and misunderstanding of the social care sector.

We believe it is essential the Inquiry examines these issues in Module 6 and the voices and experiences of those in social care are central to the process.
 

Update 24 June 2024

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has announced it will publish its first report and recommendations following its investigation into the UK’s ‘Resilience and preparedness (Module 1)’ for the pandemic at midday on Thursday 18 July 2024. The Chair of the Inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, will present her recommendations in a live streamed statement on the Inquiry’s YouTube channel soon after.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has published the list of closing statements to be delivered on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 June, marking the end of its health and social care impact hearings. Inquiry publishes list of closing statements for its health and social care impact hearings | Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry (covid19inquiry.scot). Video of the closing statements is here: https://www.covid19inquiry.scot/


Update 22 June 2024

The National Care Forum, Homecare Association, and Care England held a webinar on 15 May 2024 to give providers an update on the work of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry to May 2024. The recording is here:

​mp4 icon UK COVID-19 Inquiry Update from National Care Forum, Homecare Association and Care England.-20240515_135752-Meeting Recording.mp4.

Links to relevant documents are here:  

At the webinar, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP advised providers to consider any Rule 9 questionnaire (a formal request for evidence from the Inquiry) they receive carefully and formally before responding.

Homecare Association members are entitled to a limited amount of free telephone advice from our legal helpline, subject to terms and conditions.  Please call the Member Helpline on 020 8661 8188, option 4, for more details.
 

Updates to 31 May 2024

Updates to 31 May 2024 are available at: UK Covid 19 Inquiry update to 31 May 2024.

 

 

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